The temperamental behavior of calico cats has been greatly maligned and misunderstood. These felines are thought to be feisty, stubborn, willful and even arrogant. Some folks in fact, refer to these beautiful cats wearing their striking coat color (albeit often affectionately) as having “cattitude”.
Since the calico pattern doesn’t represent a particular breed of cat, but rather only the cat’s color, the calico cat’s disposition is strictly influenced by its inherited genes and environment. Therefore the calico cat’s behavior largely depends on its pedigree, or how the kitty has been handled since birth.
The calico cat pattern is seen among others, in the Japanese Bobtail, the Persian, Rex, American Shorthair, British Shorthair, Maine Coons, Manx, Exotic Shorthair, and even the “hairless” Sphynx. Each of these breeds is known to have special behavioral characteristics, many of them which are especially appealing to certain cat lovers. However, breeders and guardians of calico and tortoiseshell kitties continue to maintain that the behavior of these cats differ from any other colors or breeds.
Because some coat colors in cats is linked to the X chromosome, the majority of calico cats are female. Occasionally a male kitten is born wearing this color pattern. A prevailing myth that continues to abound is that male calico cats are extremely valuable, but due to the genetics involved male calico cats are almost always sterile.
Although these stunningly beautiful kitties are certainly eye-candy for cat lovers, NBC News is reporting on some exciting and promising research about the genetic anomaly connected with gender in calico cats. This research may help scientists better understand DNA and calico cats may help researchers understand the so-called flipping the “off switch” in genes.
According to a team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, (SCSF) the unique orange-white-black coloring on these cats is caused by the inactivation or “silencing” of one of their two X chromosomes. The cells in female animals have two copies of the X chromosome which is inherited; one from the mother and one from the father.
Since scientists don’t fully understand exactly how a cell turns off a chromosome, they are trying to learn more about the way in which different types of genes can be “switched” on and off without impacting the underlying sequence of DNA.
According to Scitable,
“In cats, the fur pigmentation gene is X-linked and depending on which copy of the X chromosome each cell chooses to leave active, a black or orange coat color results. X inactivation only occurs in cells with multiple X chromosomes, which explains why almost all calico cats are female.”
In order to visualize the DNA, scientists used soft x-ray tomography and were able to identify one specific chromosome; the inactive X chromosome in female cells. This research may lead to greater understanding, diagnosis and treatment in humans of X-chromosome related diseases.
Explaining some of the research implications, Elizabeth Smith, a postdoctoral fellow in the Anatomy department at SCSF said,
“Uncovering how only one X chromosome is inactivated will help explain the whole process of ‘epigenetic control,’ meaning the way changes in gene activity can be inherited without changing the DNA code. It can help answer other questions, such as if, and how traits like obesity can be passed down through generations.”
While this seems to be promising news, since the study’s findings were presented at a medical meeting,until a peer-reviewed journal publishes its findings, the data and conclusions should only be considered preliminary.
So calico kitty guardians, please pay attention! There is no further need to complain about your cat shedding all over everything. Based on the vital information their precious fur may uncover, it’s possible that in the near future it will save the lives of many humans.
Share your thoughts about this news with a comment.
Jo
- Photo credit: Flickr User: Archangeli
- Sources: Scitable, nature.com/scitable
- USNews nbcnews.com/news/us-news
That should have been, “In my dreams…” [above]
[see my pinterest on Shrimp, Kylee] Never put a flash from your cellphone or camera directly into their eyes. It hurts, and they do not understand why you are doing that to them when they trust you. <3 I learned the hard way. Shrimp told me to never do it again, or he would eye me differently for life! 😉
In my where you came to the States to conduct interviews with the seemingly most caring vets who still perform a de-claw “or two” once a month or so. It must have been my brain, overloaded with stress, and delusional images set in. 😉
Ruth, I am backtracking here through the comments. Shrimpster’s overnight, which I never expected–I waited at my hospital until they finally came up to me and said, like they so often do, “He has to spend the night. We’ve had too many emergencies in the last few hours.” That was not supposed to have been. I did not even get to say, “Hey Shrimp, I’ll see you first thing in the morning, xxx.”
I just want to say that I do not believe for a second that Dr. Becky would “smugly” amputate. I do not know why her conscience does not take control and say, “Enough is enough!”
I’m hoping that this morning, when I show up and wait, and I finally get to talk to her face to face, just like twenty some years ago when her practice was in the back office of a pathetic pet store at East Park Plaza, I can ask her, “why are you feeding the egos of those stupid humans who will not face their own demons? Because you won’t face yours?” I hope that I remember to ask her this, when I pick up my Shrimp to bring him back home. I do have a sealed envelope containing a note, asking if I could interview her in the near future on her reasons for performing de-claws, even if it be “only” four per month. She does so, so much good! How could she still justify this?
This is hopeful. I have to say that we have calicos and torties here. Some are mellow and some are dominant. All of them are very intelligent and learn easily. This is a very interesting article. Thanks Jo.
I had the same situation, Caroline- actually.
The feline-only practitioner that cared for Mousie Tongue (my sealpoint Siamsese with megacolon) declawed and stood firm in her convictions, even though I tried very hard to knock some sense into her head. She claimed that declawing preserved homes. I tried to dispell this myth until I was blue in the face- to no avail. Talked about declawed cats being surrendered to shelters due to “bad” behavior- etc. She wouldn’t buy it.
But she was the BEST feline practitioner in probably the entire state of Florida. She cured Dr. Hush Puppy’s impacted, infected anal glands- other vets would have removed them- but she preserved them. She had magical hands and was brilliant. So what was I to do but to continue taking my kitties to her. No one else could do what she did for them.
She was very set in her ways, and I am sorry that her practice continues to declaw. I have a vet now that won’t declaw. She educates any person requesting the surgery and they change their minds. Her staff also educates folks inquiring about it. I gave her one of Jennifer Conrad’s DVDs for a Christmas present, and she has been showing it and discussing it in staff meetings. I am thrilled!
No need to beat yourself up about it. Sometime we need to use vets who declaw. She saved Sir Hubble’s eye- she was the only one that even attempted to to this. So what can I say?
Wish that all vets would stop- one day perhaps they will GET it- and understand how cruel and unneccessary it is. That’s why our work here and in the real world is so crucial.